Article of manufacturing which holds a container of drinking fluids. collects its condensation and spilled fluids, and directs them to its self contained reservoir

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture which holds a container of drinking fluids, collects it&#39;s condensation and spilled fluids, and directs them to it&#39;s self contained reservoir with a device having a upper rim that is taller than the container being held, a device to support the entire height of the held container utilizing its upper funnel and support ribs, a device which stores spilled fluids and condensation within it&#39;s own self contained reservoir created from a centered vertical support column providing support to the held container away from its spilled fluids as well as creating an area to add weights, a magnet, or lighting to its open bottom end, a holder that can fit in existing cup holders and improve their function, a holder that is portable and machine washable, and a holder that can provide the above stated benefits and be manufactured in one piece.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

-   Bridges U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,156 Nov. 16, 1999 discloses a cup holder    which securely holds the container when it is tipped-   Thomson U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,709 Mar. 30, 1999 discloses a cupholder    with a drain for spilled fluid.-   Wildey U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,630 Jan. 19, 1999 discloses a stackable    beverage holder-   Ackeret U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,410 Oct. 20, 1998 discloses a cupholder    with a reservoir for draining spilled fluid-   Dykstra U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,441 May 13, 1997 discloses another type    of container holder.-   Sapien U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,064 Jul. 5, 1994 discloses a cup holder    with a reservoir 22 for holding spills.-   Beckerer, Jr U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,303 Apr. 2, 1985 discloses a    cupholder with a reservoir for draining spilled fluid-   Lambert U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,981 Oct 22, 1974 discloses a cup holder    with reservoir for holding spilled fluid.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX (TOTAL OF 36 PAGES)

-   Bridges U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,156 Nov. 16, 1999-   Thomson U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,709 Mar. 30, 1999-   Wildey U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,630 Jan. 19, 1999-   Ackeret U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,410 Oct. 20, 1998-   Dykstra U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,441 May 13, 1997-   Sapien U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,064 Jul. 5, 1994-   Beckerer, Jr U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,303 Apr. 2, 1985-   Lambert U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,981 Oct. 22, 1974

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of cupholders and morespecifically to a holder which holds a container of drinking fluids,collects it's condensation and spilled fluids, and directs them to it'sself contained reservoir.

With the increase of the “on the go” mentality there has been a hugedemand for more efficient cup holders. The need for an improved cupholder has been magnified by the recent increase in the average numberof cup holders per vehicle, golfcart, shopping cart, movie theaterchair,wheelchair, etc. Current cup holders do not provide a system foreffectively capturing spilled fluids or condensation and storing thesefluids separate from the held container for easy cleaning at a latertime.

The most widely known cup holders are those found standard in yourvehicle dash board or console and do not have a separate area thatcontains the spills or condensation once they are created. Thistypically leaves the container sitting in the fluids or fluids can gettrapped between the held cup and the holder, or worse, you may end upwith the fluid spilled on the dash, console or yourself. Most cupholders do not fit in existing cupholders, do not address the problem ofthe held container sitting in it's own spilled fluids, do not assist incapturing spilled fluids and are insufficient to handle the differentsized drinking cups that are now typical.

-   Bridges U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,156 Nov. 16, 1999 discloses a cup holder    which securely holds the container when it is tipped. There is no    disclosure of means for evacuating fluids.-   Thomson U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,709 Mar. 30, 1999 discloses a mug holder    with a drainage reservoir (120) that the can or mug sits over and    blocks its full utilization, furthermore, it requires a drainage    tube because is does not utilize a self contained reservoir.-   Wildey U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,630 Jan. 19, 1999 cannot be used to    capture fluids from the held container further a held container can    sit in spilled fluids further frustrating its use-   Ackeret U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,410 Oct. 20, 1998 has no structure at    the top of the cup, so as to direct the flow of drippage into the    tray, moreover, it does not have the ability to be put in an    existing cup holder to improve its use, nor does it lend itself to    easy cleaning.-   Dykstra U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,441 May 13, 1997 discloses another type    of container holder with offset overlapping recesses of different    diameters and depth. There is no disclosure of a reservoir for    catching spills.-   Sapien U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,064 Jul. 5, 1994 has no structure for    directing spills into the reservoir. Further, when in position, the    cup blocks the bottom reservoir and, worse,when the cup is raised    out of the holder, it necessarily pulls the liquid from the    reservoir 22 with it, to some extent, and disperses the liquid out    of the reservoir, thereby frustrating it's function. With Sapien's    holding cup holder the size of the cup being held determines what    height it will sit in the cupholder allowing the held cup to sit in    the bottom of the reservoir, further frustrating its function.-   Beckerer, Jr U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,303 Apr. 2, 1985 cup holder does    not fit in existing cupholders, moreover, there is no structure at    the top of the holder to catch spilled fluids. Furthermore, there is    no structure to keep the held container above the bottom of the    holder, most importantly it requires a drain tube to keep the    spilled fluids away from the held container.-   Lambert U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,981 Oct. 22, 1974 requires many large    parts in order for it to function, these parts will not fit in most    cars, and never in an existing cup holder. Further, the reservoir is    not self contained within the cup holder.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a holder with a upperrim, that is taller than the container being held, to help catch anddirect spills from the held container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder that has acentered vertical upright column within it that supports the heldcontainer and allows the captured fluids to be stored around its baseaway from the held container while also providing a means to insert aweight or magnet into its open bottom end for more stabilty orfloatation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder that reducesspills by containing the entire height of the held container utilizingits upper funnel and support fins.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder that has areservoir within it that stores the captured fluids of the heldcontainer separate from the held container.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a holder thatpurposely collects dripping condensation from the container being heldand stores it separate from the held container in it's self containedreservoir.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a better holderby making it portable for easy removal, transfer, and cleaning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a easily cleaned holder bymaking it portable and dishwasher safe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder that holds alarge variety of container sizes and still performs it's function.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder that reducesspills in the interior of your vehicle by trapping spilling fluids withits upper rim and directing them to its self contained reservoir.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a holder that can fitin most existing cup holders and improve their function.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a new means foradvertising.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder that has all theabove stated benefits and can be manufactured in one piece for ease inmanufacturing and reduced cost.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a holder which holds a container of drinking fluids, collectsit's condensation and spilled fluids, and directs them to it's selfcontained reservoir comprising: a holder with a upper rim that is tallerthan the container being held which collects spilled fluids, a holderthat contains the entire height of the held container utilizing itsupper funnel and support ribs creating more room to access the heldcontainer while further allowing the spilled fluids to pass into thereservoir, a holder which stores spilled fluids and condensation withinit's own self contained reservoir, a self contained reservoir createdfrom a centered vertical support column which provides support to theheld container and creates an area to add weight, a magnet, or lightingto its bottom open end, a holder that directs spilled fluids andcondensation into its self contained reservoir utilizing it's upper andlower funnel system, a holder that can fit in existing cup holders andimprove their function, a holder that is portable and machine washable,and A holder that can provide the above stated benefits and bemanufactured in one piece.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed the holder of claim 1 which utilizes a upper rim that istaller than the container being held to capture condensation and spilledfluids.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed the holder of claim 1 which provides support to a heldcontainers entire height utilizing its upper funnel and support ribcombination thus creating more room to access the held container whilefurther allowing the spilled fluids to pass below,

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed the holder of claim 1 which provides a self containedreservoir created from a centered vertical support column which providessupport to the held container separate from the containers spilledfluids furthermore creating an area to add weight, a magnet, or lightingby insertion in its open bottom end,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. <1> is a cross sectional view taken along lines 1-1 of FIG. 2

FIG. <2> is a plan view looking at the top of the holder.

FIG. <3> is a cross sectional view (same as FIG. 1) taken along lines1-1 of FIG. 2 shown with a container held in position.

FIG. <4> is a perspective view from a top side advantage

FIG. <5> is a perspective view from a bottom side advantage

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present intention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

In one embodiment of the invention (FIG. 1) there is provided a holder(10) that holds a drinking container, that is portable and machinewashable, comprising of an upper rim (12) taller that the containerbeing held, several support ribs (14) arrayed about its upper funnel(16) this connected to the lower funnel (18) by means of generallycylindrical wall (20).

The lower section (22) has an open first end (24) and an opposite secondend (26) and is formed by means of generally cylindrical wall (28).Contained within the lower section (22) rising from the bottom end (26)of the holder (10) is a centered vertical support column (30) standingapproximately 1 inch tall thus creating the self contained reservoir(32) about its base.

As seen in (FIG. 3) there is a held container (34) that is placed in aholder (10) resting its lower end (36) on the centered vertical supportcolumn (30) as its upper end (44) comes to rest upon the support rib(14) restraining the held container (34) from any movements while stillallowing fluids to pass to the said holders (10) self containedreservoir (32) which stores spilled fluids and condensation for latereasy cleaning. To accomplish an important function of the inventionthere is shown the upper rim (12) generally a cylindrical surface thatextends above the held container (34). Below this, in accordance with animportant feature of this invention is the upper funnel (16) incombination with the support ribs (14) which provide support to the fullheight of the container while also providing passage to condensation andspilled fluids from the held container (34) to the self containedreservoir (32) in the base of the lower section (22).

Upon further inspection of (FIG. 1) it will be seen that the upper rim(12) has an open end with a diameter of approximately 5.4 inches leadingdown to the upper funnel (16) with a top diameter of approximately 5.1inches and a bottom diameter of approximately 3.6 inches. The upperfunnel (16) contains several support ribs (14) arrayed evenly around theentire circumference of the said upper funnel (16) allows you to betteraccess the held container while allowing fluids to pass. These supportribs are approximately 0.125 inch's thick extending out from the upperfunnel, thus providing support to the held container (34) while alsoallowing fluids to readily move to the lower section (22) and collect inthe holder's (10) self contained reservoir (32) separate from the heldcontainer (34).

In a preferred embodiment the fluids traveling inside the apparatuscylindrical inner surface (20), which has a diameter of approximatly 3.5inches directs fluids to the bottom funnel comprising of an upper openend with a diameter of approximately 3.5 inches and a lower open endwith a diameter of approximately 3 inches leading to what will beconsidered the lower section (22). The lower section (22) comprising ofa generally cylindrical surface approximately 2 inches in height and 3inches in diameter houses a vertical support column (30) extendingupwardly from the bottom end (26) of the holder (10) standingapproximately 1 inch tall and approximately 1.4 inches in diameter thuscreating a platform (38) to support a held container (34) and creating areservoir (32) about its base, while further creating a open hollow areainside (40) with a closed top end (38) and an open bottom end (42) whichcan be used to house a weight, magnet, or lighting

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents such as a holderthat can hold multipal containers, a holder with a lid, or a holder thatcan be adjustable, as may be included within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A holder which holds a container of drinking fluids, collects it'scondensation and spilled fluids, and directs them to it's self containedreservoir comprising: a holder with a upper rim that is taller than thecontainer being held which collects spilled fluids; a holder thatcontains the entire height of the held container utilizing its upperfunnel and support ribs creating more room to access the held containerwhile further allowing the spilled fluids to pass into the reservoir; aholder which stores spilled fluids and condensation within it's own selfcontained reservoir; a self contained reservoir created from a centeredvertical support column which provides support to the held container andcreates an area to add weight, a magnet or lighting to its bottom openend; a holder that directs spilled fluids and condensation into its selfcontained reservoir utilizing it's upper and lower funnel system; aholder that can fit in existing cup holders and improve their function;a holder that is portable and machine washable; and A holder that canprovide the above stated benefits and be manufactured in one piece. 2.the holder of claim 1 which utilizes a upper rim that is taller than thecontainer being held to capture condensation and spilled fluids.
 3. theholder of claim 1 which provides support to a held containers entireheight utilizing its upper funnel and support rib combination thuscreating more room to access the held container while further allowingthe spilled fluids to pass below;
 4. the holder of claim one whichprovides a self contained reservoir created from a centered verticalsupport column which provides support to the held container separatefrom the containers spilled fluids furthermore creating an area to addweight, a magnet, or lighting by insertion in its open bottom end;